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RAC Magazine is the leading source of news, information and analysis for the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. For over a century, RAC has provided decision makers with unrivalled coverage of the latest technical innovations that drive this sector.

R22 smuggling operation prosecution

Brendan Clery, 34, of Miami, has pled guilty before a U.S. District Court Judge to a one count Information charging him with knowingly importing approximately 278,256 kilograms of illegal hydrochlorofluorocarbon - 22 (HCFC-22), contrary to the provisions of the Clean Air Act (CAA).

According to court records and statements made in court, in 2005 Clery formed Lateral Investments, a Florida corporation, for the purpose of importing merchandise, including refrigerant gas.

Clery was the President of Lateral. Between June and August 2007, Clery illegally smuggled large quantities of HCFC-22 into the United States to sell on the black market.

During 2007, Clery illegally imported approximately 278,256 kilograms or 20,460 cylinders of restricted HCFC­22, with a market value of $1,438,270.

United States Attorney Ferrer said, “The illegal importation of ozone depleting substances threatens our well being and endangers our environment. My Office will continue to support the EPA and ICE in our efforts to enforce our nation’s laws and protect our environment.”

EPA SAC Maureen O’Mara said, “Refrigerant gas depletes the stratospheric ozone layer, which protects people from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation such as skin cancer and cataracts. Today’s conviction sends a clear message that those who place the public at risk in order to make illegal profits will be vigorously prosecuted.”

“The effort to protect the ozone layer is a great success, but the job is not finished yet; scientists report that thinning continues to occur seasonally not just in the Antarctic, but also increasingly at the North Pole,” said Drusilla Hufford, U.S. EPA Stratospheric Protection Division Director. “When we prevent smugglers from illegally profiting by bringing falsely documented ozone depleting chemicals into the U.S., we are protecting the health of Americans and the ozone layer as well.”

With just five months to go, there is still a large amount of misinformation about the phase-out of R22, coupled with apathy among end users. RAC invited a panel from across the supply chain to thrash out what the industry should do to counter this

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RAC Magazine is the leading source of news, information and analysis for the refrigeration and air conditioning industry. For over a century, RAC has provided decision makers with unrivalled coverage of the latest technical innovations that drive this sector.